Anchor mount assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an anchor mount for mounting and operating an anchor from a boat, the mount including means for holding the anchor against excessive movement in a stored position out of the water and swivel means for aligning a portion of the mount with the anchor line when the anchor is lowered for ease in hoisting the anchor to its stored position regardless of the inclination of the line relative to the surface of the water. In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is included adjustable device for securing the mount to the boat to fit boat mounting surfaces of various thicknesses.

United States Patent Mayfield Sept. 23, 1975 ANCHOR MOUNT ASSEMBLY Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix [76] Inventor: Harold Mayfield, 2840 Fortune Dr., Ass'smm Exammer Gregory O Connor Granite City I. 62040 Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Rogers, Ezell & Ellers [22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [21] A N() j 424,668 This invention relates to an anchor mount for mounting and operating an anchor from a boat, the mount including means for holding the anchor against exces [52] llScCilg 114/210 Sive movement in a Stored position out of the water [5 nt. B63B 21/22 and Swivel means for aligning a portion of the mount [58] Flew Seam 114/206 254/186 with the anchor line when the anchor is lowered for 9/36 38 ease in hoisting the anchor to its stored position reardless of the inclination of the line relative to the [56] References Clted surface of the water. V

UNITED STATES PATENTS In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is i 1 4 81 3 included adjustable device for securing the mount to OWFC IO 3,083,675 4/1963 Rice 1l4/206R 322; 5 m boat moummg surfaces of Vanous 3.279,412 /1966 Howard 114/210 c n e 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 46 22 *3 75 85 I l Q O l J t 44 2o 76 f Q e1 l I l 6 40 l 72 5 13 s w 53 m i u 84 --L I 0 Z] l 62 1:53 I 4 70 .w-az I 73 l I l I II J 8,-- I i i O I 48 T0 WINCH US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,906,882

T0 WINCH US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,906,882

ANCHOR MOUNT ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an anchor mount for mounting and operating an anchor from a boat, and specifically such a mount for use on small boats.

The anchor mount of this invention makes it possible to operate the anchor from a remote position of the boat for convenience to fishermen and the like and pos' sesses certain improved features which insure smooth and easy operation of the anchor regardless of the angle of the anchor line with respect to the water surface while also providing means for securely holding the anchor in its stored position out of the water against excessive movement and noise. Also included in a preferred embodiment of the invention is an adjustable securing means for securing the anchor mount to the boat to fit mounting surfaces of various thicknesses.

The mount of this invention generally comprises a first arm means extending over a side of the boat and outwardly over the water. The arm means is pivotally mounted to a securing means for movement about a generally horizontal and outwardly extending axis, the securing means being for the purpose of securing the anchor mount assembly to the boat, the arm means having a portion extending generally outwardly and downwardly from the boat. A ring member is mounted at the outer end of the arm means, which ring member is oriented generally horizontally to receive the shank portion of an anchor with the anchor in its stored position out of the water. A second arm is pivotally mounted at one end to the first arm means for pivotal movement about an axis which is generally transverse of the first arm means and normal to the pivotal axis of the first arm means, such that the second arm moves with the first arm means and yet is free to pivot generally upwardly relative to the first arm means regardless of the pivotal position of the first arm means.

Suitable guide means are provided for receiving an anchor line, one end of which is connected to the anchor and the other end of which is connected to a suitable device for hoisting and lowering the anchor such as, for example, a winch.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the securing means is a U-shaped bracket that fits down over the side of the boat, the width of the U-shaped bracket being adjustable to fit boat sides of various thicknesses.

The second arm acting in conjunction with the ring member provides a very secure holding means for holding the anchor in its stored position against movement and noise, while the first pivotal arm means acting in conjunction with the second arm insures smooth operation of the anchor mount assembly in hoisting and lowering the anchor regardless of the angle of the anchor line with respect to the water surface.

Hence, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an anchor mount assembly that operates very smoothly regardless of the angle of the anchor line with respect to the water surface while at the same time providing an extremely stable means for securing the anchor in its stored position out of the water against movement and noise. Another object is to provide such an anchor mount with adjustable securing means for securing the anchor mount to the boat so as to fit boat mounting surfaces of various thicknesses.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and detailed description to follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an anchor mount of this invention mounted to the side of a boat and shown in its retracted position with the anchor raised and stored;

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in section taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in section taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in section taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in section taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the mount in its extended position with the anchor lowered; and

FIG. 8 is a view of the adjustable mount portion of FIG. 7 and illustrating the adjustability of the mount to fit mounting surfaces of various thicknesses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawing there is shown an anchor mount 10 of this invention for mounting and operating an anchor l I from the side 12 of a boat. The anchor mount 10 includes a generally U-shaped mounting bracket 13 having a generally horizontal member 14 with a vertical slot 15 extending along its length at its inner end, and an upwardly extending portion 17 at its outward end. The portion 17 has a bore 18 therethrough which extends parallel to the slotted member 14. An inverted U-shaped arm member 20 extends vertically upward from the portion 17 and has a sheave or pulley 22 mounted near its upper end. A dependingmember 24 extends downwardly from the outer end of the member 14 and rests against the outer surface 26 of the side 12 of the boat. The depending member 24 has a slight inward bend at 28 to facilitate installation of the mount.

Another depending member 32 extends downwardly from the member 14 at the rear surface 34 of the side 12. The member 32 also has an inward bend 36 to facilitate installation and has at its top an enlarged portion 38, the diameter of which is greater than the width of the slot 15. A threaded shank 40 extends upwardly from the enlarged portion 38 and through the slot 15, and a nut 41 and washer 42 are mounted thereon above the member 14. An inverted U-shaped member 44 extends upwardly from the threaded shank 40 and has a sheave or pulley 46 mounted at its upper end. Another U-shaped member 48 extends generally inwardly from the lower end of the member 32 and has a sheave or pulley 50 mounted therein. A cross member 52 which extends parallel to the surface 34 of the side 12 and generally normal to the member 32 is secured to the enlarged portion 38 at its side facing the surface 34. The member 52 prevents the mount from twisting under forces created upon operating the anchor.

It can be seen that upon loosening the nut 41, the depending member 32, the threaded shank 40, the inverted U-shaped member 44, and the various components attached thereto are free to move along the slot 15 to accommodate for boat sides of various thicknesses. After proper adjustment the nut 41 can be tightened to firmly lock the member 32, and those components attached thereto, in place.

A protective covering 53 of rubber, plastic or other suitable material surrounds the members 24 and 32 and lies between the side 12 and slotted member 14 to protect the boat surfaces.

A curved arm 60 shaped generally as shown has upper and lower horizontal portions 61 and 62, respectively, connected by an inclined portion 63 such that the arm extends generally outwardly and downwardly from the side of the boat. The upper end portion 61 of the arm 60 extends through the bore 18 for pivotal movement of the arm 60 about the axis of the bore. Enlarged portions 65 and 66 hold the upper end of the arm in the bore. A ring-shaped member 70 is secured such as by welding to extend outwardly from the lower end of the arm 60, and is adapted to receive the shank of the anchor 11 as will be hereinafter described.

Another arm 72, curved as shown in the drawing, is pivotally mounted at one end between a pair of ears 73 secured to the inclined portion 63 of the arm 60. The other end of the arm 72 has a U-shaped bracket 75 extending therefrom with a sheave or pulley 76 pivotally mounted therein.

OPERATION The operation of the anchor mount will be explained in connection with a conventional mushroomtype anchor 11 having a lower cup-shaped disc portion 80 with drain holes 81 therein, and a tapered shank 82 extending upwardly therefrom. The upper end of the shank 82 has an eyelet 84 secured thereto with a rope 85 attached at one end to the eyelet.

if the mounting bracket 13 is properly adjusted for the width of the particular side of the boat on which the mount is to be installed, it is only necessary to place the mounting bracket over the top edge of the side with the depending members 24 and 32 extending down the opposite surfaces of the side 12 until the horizontal member 14 with its protective cover 53 rests on the top edge. The member 52 and its protective covering 53 will also lie very close to the surface 34. If the mounting assembly 13 is not properly adjusted, the nut 41 is loosened and the member 32, and components attached thereto, are moved along the slot until the proper adjustment is achieved. Then the nut 41 is tightened to lock the member 32 in place.

It should be noted that it is not necessary that the members 24, 32, and 52 fit tightly against the surfaces of the side 12. It is only necessary that these members fit close enough to the surfaces so that the assembly 10 stays securely on the side of the boat even under the forces created during use, operation, and storing of the anchor. In fact, it is preferred to have a slight looseness of fit so that the mount can be installed and removed by simply placing it on or lifting it off the side of the boat without the need to adjust the nut 41 each time.

The anchor 11 and rope 85 can be mounted to the assembly 10 before or after installation of the assembly, and in either case the rope 85 extends over the pulleys 76, 22, 46, and with one end of the rope connected to the eyelet 84 at the anchor and the other end connected to a suitable winch (not shown).

In FIG. 2 the anchor mount 10 is shown in its retracted position with the anchor up or stored. In this position the tapered shank 82 extends through the ring at the lower end of the arm 60. Preferably, the diameter of the ring 70 is such that the tapered shank 82 extends upwardly therethrough upon hoisting the anchor until the disk is just out of contact with the lower end of the arm 60. This insures a tight fit between the anchor shank and the ring nearest the bottom of the anchor to provide the greatest stability and least movement of the anchor in the stored position. As the anchor is hoisted to the position shown in FIG. 2, the curved arm 72 pivots upwardly to the position shown with the arm 72 helping support the upper end of the anchor shank and secure it against successive movement in the stored position. Furthermore, as the line is drawn taut upon hoisting the anchor, the arm 60 is made to pivot as necessary about the axis of the bore 18 under the force of the line acting sideways against the pulley mount 75. The result is to align the arm 60 generally with the line which usually extends into the water at an inclined angle to the water surface. This pivotal movement of the arm 60 keeps the line 85 seated properly in the pulley 76 at all times for ease in hoisting and lowering the anchor.

As best shown in FIG. 7, in lowering the anchor the shank 82 drops out of the ring 70, the arm 72 drops generally to the position shown, and the arm 60 pivots about the axis of the bore 18 with a tendency to align itself with the anchor line once the anchor is set in place.

Hence, there has been described a novel anchor mount which can be installed and operated quickly and easily, which stores the anchor in a retracted position securely and without movement or noise, which provides exceptionally smooth operation while hoisting or lowering the anchor, and which is adjustable to fit boat sides of various thicknesses.

Various changes and modifications may be made in this invention, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor mount assembly for mounting an anchor to a boat and operating said.anchor between stored and lowered positions, the assembly comprising arm means extending generally outwardly from the boat and downwardly toward the water, said arm means having an upper portion extending in said outward direction from the boat and defining a pivotal axis for said arm means, said axis extending in the same outward direction as said arm means, means for pivotally mounting the arm means at its upper portion to the boat for pivotal movement about said axis, and guide means for receiving a line, one end of which is attached to the anchor, said guide means including at least one guide mounted for movement with said arm means, said pivotal movement being sufficiently free with the anchor in the water so as to allow pivotal movement of said arm means in response to a component of tension force in said anchor line acting to produce a moment about said pivotal axis.

2. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the arm means has upper and lower portions pivotally connected together for pivotal movement of the lower portion about an axis which extends generally transversely of the arm means normal to the pivotal axis at said upper end of the arm means, said guide means includ ing a guide mounted for movement with the lower portion of the arm means for guiding the anchor line.

3. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein said guide is mounted to said arm means at a location spaced downwardly from the pivotal mounting means at the upper portion of the arm means.

4. The anchor mount assembly of claim 2 wherein the arm means extends outwardly and downwardly from the boat.

5. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the anchor includes a shank portion, the arm means having a ring member at its lower end to receive the anchor shank with the anchor in its stored position.

6. The anchor mount assembly of claim 5 further comprising a second arm pivotally mounted at one end to the arm means for pivotal movement about an axis which extends generally transversely of the arm means and normal to the pivotal axis at said upper portion of the arm means, said guide means including a guide mounted for movement with the second arm for guiding the anchor line.

7. The anchor mount assembly of claim 6 wherein the anchor mount assembly may be operated between an extended position with the second arm down and a retracted position with the second arm up, and wherein said guide is mounted to the second arm, and including a second guide located above and inwardly of said first guide with the second arm in its extended position.

8. The anchor mount assembly of claim 7 wherein the guide means includes pulleys over which the anchor line extends.

9. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotally mounting means further comprises a generally inverted U-shaped bracket which fits down over the top edge of the side of a boat.

10. The anchor mount assembly of claim 9 wherein the width of the inverted U-sihaped bracket is adjustable to fit boat sides of various thicknesses.

11. The anchor mount assembly of claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a second guide located directly above the portion of the boat to which the assembly is mounted.

12. An anchor mount assembly for mounting an anchor to a boat and operating said anchor between stored and lowered positions, the assembly comprising first arm means extending over a side of the boat and outwardly and downwardly therefrom over the water, said arm means having a lower end over the water and an upper end, means for pivotally mounting the arm means at its upper end to the boat for pivotal move- .ment about a generally outwardly extending axis, guide means for receiving a line, one end of which is attached to the anchor, said pivotal movement of the first arm means being sufficiently free with the anchor in the water so as to allow pivotal movement of said first arm means in response to a component of tension force in said anchor line acting to produce a moment about said pivotal axis, means located at the lower end of said first arm means to receive a portion of said anchor with the anchor in its stored position, a second arm pivotally mounted at one end to the first arm means for pivotal movement about an axis which extends generally transversely of the first arm means and normal to the pivotal axis at the upper end of the first arm means, said guide means including a guide mounted for movement with the second arm for guiding the anchor line. 

1. An anchor mount assembly for mounting an anchor to a boat and operating said anchor between stored and lowered positions, the assembly comprising arm means extending generally outwardly from the boat and downwardly toward the water, said arm means having an upper portion extending in said outward direction from the boat and defining a pivotal axis for said arm means, said axis extending in the same outward direction as said arm means, means for pivotally mounting the arm means at its upper portion to the boat for pivotal movement about said axis, and guide means for receiving a line, one end of which is attached to the anchor, said guide means including at least one guide mounted for movement with said arm means, said pivotal movement being sufficiently free with the anchor in the water so as to allow pivotal movement of said arm means in response to a component of tension force in said anchor line acting to produce a moment about said pivotal axis.
 2. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the arm means has upper and lower portions pivotally connected together for pivotal movement of the lower portion about an axis which extends generally transversely of the arm means normal to the pivotal axis at said upper end of the arm means, said guide means including a guide mounted for movement with the lower portion of the arm means for guiding the anchor line.
 3. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein said guide is mounted to said arm means at a location spaced downwardly from the pivotal mounting means at the upper portion of the arm means.
 4. The anchor mount assembly of claim 2 wherein the arm means extends outwardly and downwardly from the boat.
 5. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the anchor includes a shank portion, the arm means having a ring member at its lower end to receive the anchor shank with the anchor in its stored position.
 6. The anchor mount assembly of claim 5 further comprising a second arm pivotally mounted at one end to the arm means for pivotal movement about an axis which extends generally transversely of the arm means and normal to the pivotal axis at said upper portion of the arm means, said guide means including a guide mounted for movement with the second arm for guiding the anchor line.
 7. The anchor mount assembly of claim 6 wherein the anchor mount assembly may be operated between an extended position with the second arm down and a retracted position with the second arm up, and wherein said guide is mounted to the second arm, and including a second guide located above and inwardly of said first guide with the second arm in its extended position.
 8. The anchor mount assembly of claim 7 wherein the guide means includes pulleys over which the anchor line extends.
 9. The anchor mount assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivotally mounting means further comprises a generally inverted U-shaped bracket which fits down over the top edge of the side Of a boat.
 10. The anchor mount assembly of claim 9 wherein the width of the inverted U-shaped bracket is adjustable to fit boat sides of various thicknesses.
 11. The anchor mount assembly of claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a second guide located directly above the portion of the boat to which the assembly is mounted.
 12. An anchor mount assembly for mounting an anchor to a boat and operating said anchor between stored and lowered positions, the assembly comprising first arm means extending over a side of the boat and outwardly and downwardly therefrom over the water, said arm means having a lower end over the water and an upper end, means for pivotally mounting the arm means at its upper end to the boat for pivotal movement about a generally outwardly extending axis, guide means for receiving a line, one end of which is attached to the anchor, said pivotal movement of the first arm means being sufficiently free with the anchor in the water so as to allow pivotal movement of said first arm means in response to a component of tension force in said anchor line acting to produce a moment about said pivotal axis, means located at the lower end of said first arm means to receive a portion of said anchor with the anchor in its stored position, a second arm pivotally mounted at one end to the first arm means for pivotal movement about an axis which extends generally transversely of the first arm means and normal to the pivotal axis at the upper end of the first arm means, said guide means including a guide mounted for movement with the second arm for guiding the anchor line. 